I was surprised to release, on receiving a personal invitation from Gian (GiaArt Clip) to do so, that three years have passed since my last visit to his Buddha Garden (see A Return to Buddha Garden in Second Life). As such, and having logged-in as the invitation arrived, I decided to leap over to see what the new iteration of Gian’s always impressive region setting holds for visitors – and the the answer is, a heck of a lot.
Most notably, the setting has increased to a Full private region leveraging the Land Capacity bonus (whilst retaining its grid location). Presented as a large mountain island rising from coral-blue waters and caught in the arms of surrounding snow-spotted peaks, the setting expands on its East Asian heritage, adding Thai and Korean to the Sino-Japanese elements, whilst also growing its Buddhist, Taoist and Dharma influences.
A further change with this iteration of the setting is that it includes a number of small rental homes in keeping with the theme. Most of these are located to the lowlands on the north side of the region, whilst tucked into south-west is a small headland forming a little island, thanks to a narrow channel of water cutting through it which has two further rental houses – so do keep these in mind when exploring, as they do border the public spaces as you pass through them. Those interested in renting can find information in the rental kiosk just up the hill behind the Landing Point.
The latter sits to the west side of the region, alongside the coast and the deep cut of an wide inlet served by waterfalls dropping from on high at its deepest extent. Here is where the genius of the design begins in that the routes of exploration are such that it is possible to both circumnavigate the island and climb the shoulders and slopes of the mountain largely without having to retrace your steps along the way (getting to the table top of the mountain perhaps being the exception!).
Whilst the mouth of the inlet is narrow enough to be crossed via stepping stones, by taking the steps down from the Landing point and turning left, you can pass through an archway guarded by the stone-carved fives of two enormous Buddha figures and into a meadow where the blossom of Sakura trees falls like snow to blanket the grass, and then either continue one through a Torii gate and on to the headland noted above, or continue across a humped bridge to explore the lowlands a the base of the mountain beyond.
The latter will lead you around to the south, passing by rock pools fed by more waterfalls, steps leading to secluded meditation spots, and a further meadow where a golden Buddha sits. A bridge spans the water to a large flat island here, but please note it is a private residence, and not a place to be explored; instead the way onward lies across the meadow past the Buddha and across the hunched stone bridge just beyond him.
Here the path branches, one arm leading to one of the hidden wonders within the the island, and the other passing by way of a swampy wade to reach another meditative garden space at the foot of the Khin Tower Art Gallery, featuring pieces by Gian, and with places to rest top and around it. From here, the route continues across the surrounding waters by way of board walks and rocks to where one might look inland towards waters falling from the high cliffs into the artificial pool formed by the wooden walkways and rocks. Fed by a great bronze dragon coiled around a finger of rock, the waters split part way through their fall, courtesy of an out-thrust of rock against which Confucius stands carved in stone, giving them impression the gods have diverted the waters so that he might not be caught in a deluge.
Reaching the shore again, the path once more branches again, one route continuing along the tip of an outstretched foot of rock, where seven buddha sit, to reach the rentals mentioned earlier, as they in turn point the way to a small coastal market and thence to the mouth of the inlet and the stepping stones leading back to the Landing Point.
The other branch of the path rises by way of steps to the top of the low plateau to where another watchtower rises and tai chi is offered on the grass. While further stone steps carved into the stone climb back down to the main path, others rise to where two temples sit on tiered gardens and a shrine lies within another cave From here, wooden platforms rise to the very peak of the mountain. This is home to a temple / resource centre and pagoda. The lower floor of this temple will be used for teaching, as Gian explained to me:
Seten Tomh (damian.glendullen) spiritual director of the Buddha Centre in Mieum, and his co-worker Ankh (jos.joszpe) will be presenting Fundamental View. based on Bhikkhu Bodhi’s anthology of authentic Buddhist texts, Seten Tomh discusses the teachings of the Buddha from a comprehensive, comparative, universal and non-sectarian perspective. These talks explore the underlying pattens of meaning of the Buddhist texts as a basis for the Dharma Transmission to the West, the next great epoch in Buddhist understanding.
– Gian
The first of these sessions will take place from 11:00 SLT on Sunday, March 2nd, 2025. Upstairs, the temple takes on a surprising fusion of the techno-modern edged with the spiritual – but I’ll let you find this, together with the further opportunities for tai chi on the broad balcony.
The mountain is home to several more locations, paired on either side of the deep inlet, and reached by paths I’ll leave you to discover. In the side of the inlet with the Landing Point, the path climbs by way of the rental office and a large square pergola sheltering a meditative Buddha as he guards the path up to where an inn clinging to the side of the cliffs. Across the water a small pergola houses a similar buddha figure, this one marking the way up to an armoury house and martial arts exercise terrace.
Throughout all of this are marvellous touches reflective of Dharma, Buddhism and Taoism in a setting that carries with it elements those familiar with past iterations of Buddha Garden will recognise – such as a high “Buddha Falls”, the great head semi-submerged, Buddha in the field, and so on – all of which imbue the expanded setting with a sense of continuity flowing into it from earlier iterations.
I’ve not covered everything the region has to offer here (including one unusual little vignette clinging to the side of the mountain!), as it deserves to be visited and carefully explored. What I will say is the Gian has again excelled with the region design, bringing together an engaging mix of themes and philosophies, with Viola Blackwood providing superb additional detail with the inn, the armoury, fashion display and more.
A must-see destination.
SLurl Details
- Buddha Garden (Ahimsa, rated Moderate)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 